Olympus Stylus XZ-2 is a digital compact stuck in a mirrorless camera’s body, we go hands-on

Olympus Stylus XZ2 is a digital compact stuck in a mirrorless camera's body, we go handson

Looking to boost your compact capabilities, but don't want to deal with the hassle of swapping lenses? You might take interest with the Stylus XZ-2 -- Olympus' most powerful point-and-shoot model. Admittedly, we're having a bit of difficultly working through the appeal of this latest fixed-lens snapper, given the $600 price tag and a body that's comparable in size to the PEN E-PL5 and even larger than the E-PM2. In the model's defense, it does include an impressive f/1.8-2.5, 28-112mm 4x optical zoom lens, though its 12-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor is smaller than what's included with its interchangeable-lens cousins, and the camera's sensitivity tops out at ISO 12,800. It does, however, offer 1080p shooting and a higher-res swivel 3-inch 920k-dot LCD with Touch AF Shutter control. Still, we would have liked to see these features included with the company's latest Micro Four Thirds cameras, rather than on a model with a smaller sensor and no interchangeable lens.

If you're set on the XZ-2, you'll be plenty pleased with the design -- it's quite similar to the E-PL5, and therefore quite capable. There's an option to swap in red, beige and purple grips (the camera body itself is only available in black), and you can add a body jacket and an underwater housing. There's also a built-in flash, which pops up from the top left corner, and you'll find PEN-like controls, to boot. We spent a few minutes with the XZ-2, though the battery was dead during our demo, unfortunately, so we weren't able to shoot. Still, the design felt practical, and the camera seemed solid overall. The hybrid control ring is a "world's first," according to Olympus, and offers the same functionality in both a click mode, which provides feedback, and a smoother silent mode, which won't produce any noise or vibration when shooting videos. The Stylus XZ-2 will ship a bit after the new PEN models, in November, but you can take a peek now in our gallery just below.

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Olympus Stylus XZ-2 is a digital compact stuck in a mirrorless camera's body, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 05:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pair of unannounced Leica cameras get leaked ahead of next week’s Photokina

Pair of unannounced Leica cameras get leaked ahead of next week's Photokina

As you may or may not know, Photokina's taking place in Cologne, Germany in a few days, which has caused a plethora of cameras to make an appearance before they're even made official. The latest round of unannounced, leaked shooters brings us a couple of Leicas, including the high-end, LX7-esque compact pictured above and a superzoom that takes a design cue from its smaller sibling. Unfortunately, details like pricing and availability are still at large, but with Photokina right around the corner, it won't be long before we know more about this sleek pair. For now, head past the break to check out an extra pic, where you'll find the larger member of the two posing for the camera -- ironic, huh?

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Pair of unannounced Leica cameras get leaked ahead of next week's Photokina originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visualized: Sony’s Cyber-shot RX1 gets smashed to pieces, in a good way

VIZ

A full-frame sensor inside a compact camera sounds like lunacy, but Sony's managed it (at least, in principle) with its new Cyber-shot RX1. While only at the engineering sample stage, we're already deeply in love with its retro body and the potential that lurks inside that 24.3-megapixel sensor. The question, of course, is how did they manage to squeeze that whopping hardware into such a small body? Take a gander through the gallery from our brothers at Engadget Chinese to see how it achieved such a feat.

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Visualized: Sony's Cyber-shot RX1 gets smashed to pieces, in a good way originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera packs a full-frame sensor, ‘fits in your palm’ (hands-on)

Would you believe us if we told you Sony packed a full-frame sensor in a Cyber-shot-branded camera? It's true! Say hello to the RX1, a "compact" digital camera for pros that's packing the same 24.3MP Exmor CMOS sensor introduced today with the A99. Calling the rangefinder-esque one-pound shooter small might seem off-base, especially considering the Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.0 fixed prime lens protruding from its front, but it's not so huge (3-inches high by 4.5-inches wide) up against its tiny sibling, the RX100 -- taking into account how much larger the RX1's sensor is, well, that's when this editor's jaw basically dropped. While it's not a "pro-NEX" as many had hoped, Sony explained that it chose a fixed lens to avoid the bulk of a lens-mount. We were able to get some eyes-on time with an engineering prototype of the unit, so click past the break for more details, close-ups and a brief video overview.

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Sony's Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera packs a full-frame sensor, 'fits in your palm' (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent

Sony RX1 camera leaks with fullframe sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent

Here's something you probably didn't expect: a compact Sony camera with a full-frame sensor. While Photoprice.ca was uncovering a treasure trove of leaked press shots that include the Alpha A99 and NEX-6, it also came across images of the RX1, whose body looks borderline pocketable yet stuffs in the same kind of sensor (and likely image quality) you'd normally reserve for pro-grade models. Several extra details reveal themselves right from the start. The RX1 is carrying a 35mm, f/2.0 lens with no apparent button to detach the lens -- the included glass is probably as good as it'll get. However, the RX1 is most definitely tuned for experienced shooters, with a toggle for macro focusing as well as dedicated controls for aperture and exposure compensation. We're also liking that there's a pop-up flash, a standard hot shoe for accessories and three custom settings on the mode dial. The slip doesn't include mention of a release date or a price, but talk during the A99 slip mentioned a September 12th unveiling that wouldn't shock us if it included multiple cameras -- and we would be equally unsurprised if the RX1 carried the same high price commonly associated with other full-frame bodies.

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Sony RX1 camera leaks with full-frame sensor in compact body, laws of physics slightly bent originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sigma finally announces price and availability for DP1 Merrill compact

Sigma finally annouces price and availability for DP1 Merrill compact

We were still wearing our winter jackets when Sigma announced its 19mm F2.8 toutin' (28mm equivalent) DP1 Merrill compact was getting a (pseudo) 46-megapixel sensor overhaul. Now, we finally get word on when we can take the refreshed snapper for a spin: mid-September. If you're interested in an autumnal upgrade, we hope you've been saving, as you'll need to drop a sturdy $999 for the privilege. Which is fine, just as long as you weren't putting off the vacation until this arrived.

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Sigma finally announces price and availability for DP1 Merrill compact originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 23:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pentax intros X-5 superzoom camera with 26x lens, tiltable LCD

Pentax intros X5 superzoom camera with 26x lens, tiltable LCD

We'd been worrying that Pentax would be left out of the flurry of new cameras in the run-up to Photokina. With the new X-5, there's reason to relax. The new shooter sits at the higher end of the by-the-numbers superzoom crowd, centering most of its energy on a 26x, 22-580mm equivalent lens as well as a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor that should keep the resulting 16-megapixel photos and 1080p videos relatively clean. Most of the effort to stand out from the pack, however slightly, involves previewing pictures rather than capturing them -- an electronic viewfinder and a tilting, 3-inch LCD will help perfect those macros and overhead concert shots. The X-5 won't shake the foundations of personal photography, especially not when it's using AA batteries for power, but hitting all those right notes at a $280 price could persuade more than a few of us to take the plunge after the September launch.

Gallery: Pentax X-5

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Pentax intros X-5 superzoom camera with 26x lens, tiltable LCD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus introduces Stylus SP-820UZ, SP-720UZ cameras and SZ-14 binocular bundle

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Thought Olympus only made one camera named after a writing implement? Meet the Stylus SP-820UZ, announced alongside the less romantically titled SP-720UZ and the SZ-14 DX bundle. The Stylus (the only one we're expecting to see in the US) comes with a 14-megapixel CMOS tied to the same image engine you'll find inside the company's desirable PEN series. It's ideal for crazy cat people, since it comes with a Pet-face detection mode to ensure your hilarious cheezburger submissions are perfectly focused, and it's even got a series of magic filters to jazz 'em up further. The snapper uses AA batteries (a genius or insane move, depending on how cheaply you can pick 'em up at the store) and will arrive in September.

Meanwhile, the SP-720UZ includes a 26x optical lens perched in front of a 14-megapixel sensor with HDR backlit correction and high-speed shooting. The company's also outing the "Big Telephoto Set," combining a SZ-14 compact camera with a pair of binoculars for those who want to drag along a spotter. Both sets will be available in August, though Olympus has only confirmed US availability for the 820UZ, which is expected to retail for $330 in silver and black.

Continue reading Olympus introduces Stylus SP-820UZ, SP-720UZ cameras and SZ-14 binocular bundle

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Olympus introduces Stylus SP-820UZ, SP-720UZ cameras and SZ-14 binocular bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus introduces Stylus SP-820UZ, SP-720UZ cameras and SZ-14 binocular bundle

Olympus

Thought Olympus only made one camera named after a writing implement? Meet the Stylus SP-820UZ, announced alongside the less romantically titled SP-720UZ and the SZ-14 DX bundle. The Stylus (the only one we're expecting to see in the US) comes with a 14-megapixel CMOS tied to the same image engine you'll find inside the company's desirable PEN series. It's ideal for crazy cat people, since it comes with a Pet-face detection mode to ensure your hilarious cheezburger submissions are perfectly focused, and it's even got a series of magic filters to jazz 'em up further. The snapper uses AA batteries (a genius or insane move, depending on how cheaply you can pick 'em up at the store) and will arrive in September.

Meanwhile, the SP-720UZ includes a 26x optical lens perched in front of a 14-megapixel sensor with HDR backlit correction and high-speed shooting. The company's also outing the "Big Telephoto Set," combining a SZ-14 compact camera with a pair of binoculars for those who want to drag along a spotter. Both sets will be available in August, though Olympus has only confirmed US availability for the 820UZ, which is expected to retail for $330 in silver and black.

Continue reading Olympus introduces Stylus SP-820UZ, SP-720UZ cameras and SZ-14 binocular bundle

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Olympus introduces Stylus SP-820UZ, SP-720UZ cameras and SZ-14 binocular bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video)

Nikon Coolpix S800c handson a closer look at the Android camera

It was only hours ago when Nikon officially unveiled the Coolpix S800c, but we've already laid our hands on this eccentric device. As you've probably already heard, the main selling point here is that said "smart camera" is powered by a slick (and near-vanilla) Android 2.3.3 with Google services, so with the built-in WiFi, you can upload your 16-megapixel images or 1080p videos straight to your various social networks or other cloud services. Or you can, if you're in the mood, just play Angry Birds on the S800c, but that 1,050mAh battery might not be ideal for prolonged entertainment. Sadly, we weren't allowed to share any images taken with the demo units (sorry, usual Nikon protocol), but what we can tell you is that both the camera's speed and quality weren't bad at all, and likewise with the 3.5-inch 854 x 480 OLED multitouch display -- the high pixel density makes the PenTile arrangement more forgivable.

The most interesting thing we discovered was that it seems the camera part of the S800c can run independently from Android while the latter is still booting up. You see, rather than letting the device stay on standby like most other Android devices, Nikon uses a shut-down timer that activates once Android goes on standby. When the camera's completely switched off, hit the power button and you'll go straight into camera mode which lets you shoot immediately, then about half a minute later the interface seamlessly goes back to smart mode, which is when you can hit the back or home button to toggle the Android unlock screen (though we'd rather go straight into the home screen). This cunning trick would probably explain why we couldn't get any internal hardware detail from the few benchmark tools we installed, but we did squeeze out a score of 614 in Vellamo -- detailed breakdown in the gallery below. Anyhow, you can see the camera in action in the video after the break.

The Nikon Coolpix S800c will be available next month for $350 in the US and £379 in the UK. As always, stay tuned for our review.

Update: Nikon's released some sample shots. Take a look.

Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video)

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Nikon Coolpix S800c hands-on: a closer look at the Android camera (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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